Commander Kitsune

Twenty-Nine

Naruto's POV

You should talk to him and apologize- he's probably regretting it as much as you are. 

It's the next day- almost dawn. I'm standing on the roof of Kakashi's apartment in my anbu attire, replaying Sasuke's words in my head. I should. I should make up for the mistakes and hurt I've caused for others. ...Starting with Kakashi.

My leg is completely healed now- Sakura healed me enough to gain most of my energy back, so I just finished it off myself.

I let out a sigh, trying to gather my courage. I haven't talked to the man properly in like what- a few months??? Things have become awkward between us- but I still consider Kakashi as a comrade, a friend- one of my precious people.

But I should still apologize. ...Sasuke gives better advice than he knows. Letting out another sigh, I shunshin into his apartment.

Kakashi's POV

I'm sitting on my bed, cross-legged, with my book in one hand. It's a habit I've made- I'd read right after I get up in the morning for about an hour- because it gives me time to relax. Of course, it's not like I wouldn't read anywhere else.

My apartment is sparsely furnished. And small- mostly just a bedroom and a bathroom. Maybe a microwave in one corner- though I barely use it. I don't bother to turn on the light- the rising sun's enough, even though it barely lights up my room, giving the apartment a dark, contrasting look.

I sigh, closing the book shut, feeling my cheeks a bit hot. That's enough for now. 

I look up- and nearly choke. Kitsune's standing in front of my bed, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. The rising sun shines on his mask in a way that makes him look intimidating and scary as hell. I didn't even hear him appear.

"God, Commander." I breathe out, my heart thudding against my chest from the shock. "W-what are you doing here? I haven't seen you in a while."

Not since the chunin exams. The image of him killing Orochimaru so swiftly still flashes in my mind every once in a while. But I haven't seen him since- I don't think he's taken another mission on either. It isn't like him.

"...You still read those things?" He says flatly, and I realize he's talking about the interesting content in my books. I place my book away from his view, sweatdropping. Kitsune just sighs.

"Anyway. I wanted to talk to you." 

"...About what?" I ask, staring at him calmly as I can manage. I can catch a hint of blue staring back at me from behind his mask.

"...I wanted to say that I'm sorry." He says- and before I can question what he meant, Kitsune pulls down his mask- his height shortening, and his hair turning into a more vibrant yellow. Behind the mask are icy blue eyes and whiskers. ...Naruto?

My eyes widen. This... this isn't possible. My student- the Commander of the Anbu black ops? But how- well, it would explain his odd behavior, his genius ninjutsu, and his refusal of me training him.... I should've figured.

Another large pang of guilt hits my chest like a shock. Another thing I failed to witness. Another person I failed to save. Rin, Obito, Sensei- What has Naruto been through, to turn him into this? No child his age should have to mature that fast- no child should've gone through the brutality of Anbu. Itachi and I were already examples of that. And Kitsune's amount of kills. I can't even begin to fathom what he's already seen. I'm sorry, Naruto. I'm so, so sorry-